Parents' £80 Elec. bill p.m, surely too much?Emersion heater?

moonrakerz

buel wrote: »

Ok, the answer i got is: Checked smaller load today and it was 60p. Mind you, the washing mashine is useless at spinning so it is quite wet'!
Any help?

Still far too high - how did she get this figure ?

DarkFallout

Tell them to move to economy 7 and programme the emerison heater and tumble drier to work during the night, between midnight and 6-7am ...

economy 7 is 3 times less expensive than the prepaid tariff ...

buel

Hi again, just to answer Moonrakerz question- i believe she looked at the remaining credit when she started the tuble dryer and looked again when it stopped.
And to DarkFallout, thank you for that and i will tell her but im quite impressed how i have found out today (from the brilliant people on here) that the emersion heater and tumble dryer aren't that expensive....!

calleyw

buel wrote: »

you for that and i will tell her but im quite impressed how i have found out today (from the brilliant people on here) that the emersion heater and tumble dryer aren't that expensive....!

Why are they are on pre-paid? It is normally more expensive then most other other tariffs.

What are they paying for a KWH?

There is one firm that I am aware of that charges the same no matter how you pay. Even with a pre-paid meter.

Also I have to ask why is you mum putting on the tumble dryer at this time of year. I have a little one and I rarely use it to dry only to air clothes in the winter. And even then it is not 4 times every 2 days. How much washing is you mum doing and is she taking it in for the neighbours :rotfl:

Yours

Calley

SwanJon

buel wrote: »

I was under the impression that pre-payment meters were not 'allowed' to more expensive than 'normal' non-prepayment meters?

And you'd be right. Pretty much every supplier now has their prepay tariff as pretty much the same, or less, than their quarterly tariff. Really doesn't help get that message across when you get replies like this:

KimYeovil wrote: »

Adding 50% for a prepayment, say

Eh? Just pulling numbers out if the air?

calleyw wrote: »

Why are they are on pre-paid? It is normally more expensive then most other other tariffs....There is one firm that I am aware of that charges the same no matter how you pay. Even with a pre-paid meter.

There are other tariffs available that are cheaper, usually because of discounts applied, although some have a cheaper p/kWh. These include paying by Direct Debit, internet billing and combinations of the two.
The company you are thinking of is probably Ebico - always compare prices for your consumption though.

DarkFallout wrote: »

economy 7 is 3 times less expensive than the prepaid tariff ...

What? Either you are very confused or making things up. You know you can get E7 on Prepay meters too don't you? I would love you to point me in the direction of a tariff that is 3 times less (i.e. 33%) than a prepayment tariff.

Anyway, back to the original point - it might be worth checkign that the meter hasn't picked up a message to add a balance to the meter. If it is a modern one (whiteish with a blue button) you can find the prices and any balance on the meter.
Balance is on screen S, and any weekly payment to this on T (you'll need the key)
P/kWh are on screens I & K, any standing charge will be on F.

buel

Brilliant answer!! Thank you so much!!

KimYeovil

The prepay tariff may be the same as the same supplier's standard tariff. That is a pretty useless assurance when the standard tariff is 40% more expensive than the cheapest tariff available.

And, OP, you should be reading the balance in kWh on the meter, not the credit. There are too many bits and pieces that can affect the credit for it to be a useful measure.

specialsparky

Hi,
First things first here. I have assumed your parents, well at least your Dad is retired. Your Dad has a spinal problem that makes him possibly Vulnerable in the eyes of suppliers. Speak to them ,you will have to get your Mum or Dad to authorise that you can discuss the account on their behalf. Tell the supplier that your parents are Vulnerable and your Dad has a back problem. Tell them that the PP meter is no good any longer and that you want it changed because they can't vend it. They should change it free of charge as your parents are older and your father has an ongoing medical condiiton.
While you are speaking to them ask about special tariffs but insist that they need the meter exchanging.
Once this is doine if SP haven't got a competitive tariff and can't help you could switch suppliers, but talk to SP first and ask for their help

Good luck and I hope this helps

dunloadin

What area do they live in? You'll probably find they can get a cheaper tarriff on a pre-pay meter than SP.

It may well be that they are already on an eco7 tariff, what rates are shown on the meter? Cycle through the screen by pressing the blue button, if you have two rates and a weekly charge then they have eco7.

Changing to a credit meter to take advantage of discounts etc is a good option, even more so if they have t'internet to get the better deals, but if they're set in their ways it may pay to shop around for a cheaper pp tariff.

buel

Hi again! Update here:
Ok, i've just checked and my mum has Hotpoint 6kg tvm 560 aquarius tumble dryer and she started it on 'high heat' (there is an option for 'low heat' and when she started it at
12.15pm the credit on the meter was 4.41p
12.25pm the credit was 4.29p
12.35pm the credit was still 4.29p....but, strangely, at
12.36pm the credit jumped down to 4.17p!
12.45pm the credit was still 4.17p
12.55pm the credit is still 4.17p--what the hell?
12.56pm the credit was 4.05p

Im a bit confused! Could this be due to the thermostat?